When you're diagnosed with a disease, disorder, or deficiency, the first reaction is to put a bandaid on it. Make it better, quick! Recently, cholesterol medications have become a bandaid for high overall cholesterol and low "good" cholesterol. But is it really a good idea to jump in with pills before taking a good long look at your lifestyle?

Americans especially have gotten quite good at throwing a pharmaceutical at any ache or illness that bothers them.

Aspirin for headaches, antacid for heartburn, sleeping pills for insomnia. Taking medication for high cholesterol has become a standard practice, but it isn't always the answer. There are times when medication is warranted, and times when a lifestyle change is more appropriate, and the line between the two can be fuzzy.

Cholesterol lowering medications work in three main ways depending on the type of medication prescribed. Some raise the HDL, or "good" cholesterol levels, some lower the LDL, or "bad" cholesterol levels, and some work with your liver and intestines to expedite the secretion of cholesterol. Statins are the most popularly prescribed cholesterol medications and include brand names such as Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor. They interrupt the binding process of LDL particles in your bloodstream. The type of medication prescribed to you will depend on your medical history and individual cholesterol levels.

A normal total cholesterol is considered to be 200 mg/dL or less. This total number is a combination of your HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and lipoprotein(a) molecules. Each of the four components can also be measured and rated, and are a sign of how well your body is metabolizing fats, and what type of diet you have. Bad fats, smoking, and sugar can raise LDL levels and lower HDL levels. A diet high in the good fats can raise HDL levels and lower LDL levels. If you think you're doing everything right, there is another factor you can turn to. Your parents.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is the technical term for higher than normal cholesterol levels that run in a family. It is actually caused by a genetic mutation that reduces your body's ability to process and remove cholesterol particles. FH is the number one reason people have a hard time controlling their cholesterol through diet and exercise alone. While this doesn't give you a free ride to eat bacon and sit around the house, it is a valid reason to think about taking a cholesterol lowering medication.

When you take cholesterol lowering medications while continuing to eat those cheeseburgers, your body chemistry is constantly being pulled in two different directions. Part of it wants to use those cholesterol particles as nature intended, and the other part is trying to play by the rules of the new medication. Being on a cholesterol lowering medication shouldn't be an excuse for indulging in fatty foods. For the best possible results you need to help your body help itself, and not add to the aggravation.

The first line of defense against high cholesterol should be changing your diet and fitness routine. Most minor health problems are a symptom that your body isn't getting what it needs and is getting too much of what it doesn't need. A well-balanced nutrition plan and regular exercise are the best long-term solutions for high cholesterol and other heath-related ails. When the leafy greens and treadmill aren't working, it's time to talk to your doctor about other solutions.

Learn more about this author, Kimberly Dawn Wells.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Cholesterol: When is it time for medication??
We want to hear your view. Write now!